Familyhistorian's Bookish Thread part 2

My name is Meg and this is my fifth year as one of the 75ers. 2017 brought some changes for me as I retired from my day job at the end of September. Retirement should give me more time to explore my many interests, at least in theory. I am interested in history and genealogy and actively research, read and write about those areas. When I talk about active research, I mean the type that involves travel and I hope to do more of that this year.

My current blog posts are about documents related to female ancestors, I have uncovered a few interesting ones – documents as well as female ancestors. Check it out at A Genealogist's Path to History

Little Free Library

Number culled in January 2

Number culled in February 4

Total 2018 culls

Challenges I will do my best to partake of in 2018

AAC 2018

January- Joan Didion - Where I was From - DONE
February- Colson Whitehead
March- Tobias Wolff
April- Alice Walker
May- Peter Hamil
June - Walter Mosley
July- Amy Tan
August- Louis L'Amour
September- Pat Conroy
October- Stephen King
November- Narrative Nonfiction
December- F. Scott Fitzgerald

BAC 2018

JANUARY - DEBUT NOVELS - Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters - DONE
FEBRUARY - THE 1970s -
MARCH - CLASSIC THRILLERS -
APRIL - FOLKLORE, FABLES AND LEGENDS -
MAY - QUEENS OF CRIME -
JUNE - TRAVEL WRITING -
JULY - THE ANGRY YOUNG MEN -
AUGUST - BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION -
SEPTEMBER - HISTORICAL FICTION -
OCTOBER - COMEDIC NOVELS -
NOVEMBER - WORLD WAR ONE -
DECEMBER - BRITISH SERIES -

WILDCARD - THE ROMANTICS -

2018 MysteryCAT

January: Nordic Mysteries - The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo - DONE Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson - DONE
February: Female Cop/Sleuth/Detective
March: Global Mysteries
April: Classic and Golden Age Mysteries
May: Mysteries involving Transit
June: True Crime
July: Police Procedurals
August: Historical Mysteries
September: Noir and Hard-Boiled Mysteries
October: Espionage
November: Cozy Mysteries
December: Futuristic/Fantastical Mysteries

2018 Nonfiction Challenge

January - Prize Winning Books - The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin - DONE
February -- Biographies
March – Far, Far Away: Traveling
April – History
May – Boundaries: Geography, Geopolitics and Maps
June – The Great Outdoors
July – The Arts
August – Short and Sweet: Essays and Other Longform Narratives
September – Gods, Demons, Spirits, and Supernatural Beliefs
October – First Person Singular
November – Politics, Economics & Business
December – 2018 In Review

More challenges

Reading Through Time

Quarterly

January-March 2018 - 19th Century Europe (& rest of the world, excluding Northern America) - A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock - DONE
April-June 2018 - 19th Century Northern America (includes Civil War; excluding the Old West)
July-September 2018 - The Old West
October-December 2018 - 20th Century: Before WW1 (1900-1913)

Monthly

January 2018: "Baby, It's Cold Out There!" - The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin - DONE
February 2018: "Going Hollywood"
March 2018: "Something Sporty"
April 2018: "Clash of Cultures"
May 2018: "Southeast Asia"
June 2018: "Digging Up the Past"
July 2018: "Nautical"
August 2018: "Europe Between the Wars, 1918 - 1939"
September 2018:
October 2018: "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
November 2018: "She Blinded Me with Science"

I'm not going out of my way (much) to fill in the following non-LT challenges. Just interested to see what I can do.

2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge

1. A book made into a movie you've already seen
2. True crime
3. The next book in a series you started - A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
4. A book involving a heist
5. Nordic noir - The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
6. A novel based on a real person
7. A book set in a country that fascinates you
8. A book with a time of day in the title
9. A book about a villain or antihero
10. A book about death or grief
11. A book with a female author who uses a male pseudonym
12. A book with an LGBTQ+ protagonist - Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
13. A book that is also a stage play or musical
14. A book by an author of a different ethnicity than you
15. A book about feminism
16. A book about mental health
17. A book you borrowed or that was given to you as a gift
18. A book by two authors
19. A book about or involving a sport
20. A book by a local author -
21. A book with your favorite color in the title
22. A book with alliteration in the title
23. A book about time travel
24. A book with a weather element in the title - Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
25. A book set at sea
26. A book with an animal in the title
27. A book set on a different planet
28. A book with song lyrics in the title
29. A book about or set on Halloween
30. A book with characters who are twins
31. A book mentioned in another book
32. A book from a celebrity book club
33. A childhood classic you've never read
34. A book that's published in 2018
35. A past Goodreads Choice Awards winner
36. A book set in the decade you were born
37. A book you meant to read in 2017 but didn't get to
38. A book with an ugly cover
39. A book that involves a bookstore or library
40. Your favorite prompt from the 2015, 2016, or 2017 POPSUGAR Reading Challenges (you can easily Google these)

Advanced Reading Challenge

1. A bestseller from the year you graduated high school
2. A cyberpunk book
3. A book that was being read by a stranger in a public place
4. A book tied to your ancestry
5. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
6. An allegory
7. A book by an author with the same first or last name as you
8. A microhistory
9. A book about a problem facing society today
10. A book recommended by someone else taking the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

2018 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge

1. A book published posthumously
2. A book of true crime
3. A classic of genre fiction (i.e. mystery, sci fi/fantasy, romance) - A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
4. A comic written and illustrated by the same person
5. A book set in or about one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, or South Africa)
6. A book about nature
7. A western
8. A comic written or illustrated by a person of color
9. A book of colonial or postcolonial literature
10. A romance novel by or about a person of color
11. A children’s classic published before 1980
12. A celebrity memoir
13. An Oprah Book Club selection
14. A book of social science
15. A one-sitting book
16. The first book in a new-to-you YA or middle grade series
17. A sci fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author
18. A comic that isn’t published by Marvel, DC, or Image
19. A book of genre fiction in translation - Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
20. A book with a cover you hate
21. A mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author
22. An essay anthology
23. A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60
24. An assigned book you hated (or never finished)

Books read in 2018

January

The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger by Victoria Alexander
A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

Book stats

Total books read 6

Fiction 6
Non-fiction 0

Female authors 2
Male authors 4

Books acquired in 2018

A little something for your substance.

6. A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths

It was fun to get back to the Ruth Galloway series. The next installment for me was A Room Full of Bones. This was a good one, involving Ruth in issues of the custody of remains. The bones that she is examining are held by a man of privilege who feels he has every right to keep aboriginal bones that his ancestors brought back from Australia. Of course, things don't turn out well for that man or for the curator of the museum. There is also smuggling and the mystery of any ancient, British burial involved. It was another fun installment in the series.

Happy new thread, Meg! Wow, 6 books already! You are off to a great start. I've only read 3 so far though I am in the middle of 3 at the moment and will be picking up another from the library today.

I love the images in >5 Familyhistorian: and >11 Familyhistorian:!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Meg! I also love those Ruth Galloway books - I'm all caught up with the series, so I am waiting...

Happy new thread Meg!

Congrats on the new thread!! Love all the challenges up top. We overlap a little so I will keep on eye on yours for ideas. 6 books already...wow!

>13 jessibud2: That's 6 books reviewed so far, Shelley, but I'm a bit behind in my reviews so have read 8. Thanks re the images. I had a yen for oatmeal cookies so thought I would share in >11 Familyhistorian:.

>14 drneutron: Thanks Jim.

>15 Crazymamie: I am behind and pacing myself on the Ruth Galloways, Mamie. I hate getting to the end of a series and having to wait. At the rate I am going I might never get to the end.

>16 The_Hibernator: Thanks Rachel.

>17 Berly: Thanks Kim. I said I wasn't going to do as many challenges this year - hah! My reading has picked up a pace in part because so many holds are coming due at the library. My library has changed to a policy of unlimited holds which has meant, as far as I can tell, that books that I have out suddenly get holds on them so can't be renewed. *sigh*

Happy New Thread, Meg!

How great to be nestled in the mountains like that (the topper), and what a beautiful spot for that little free library.

I'm glad you're enjoying the Ruth Galloways. I need to get back to that series soon.

>21 jnwelch: Thanks Joe, unfortunately the little free library doesn't look like that at the moment. I can hardly wait until spring which, if we are lucky, will arrive sometime next month. Mountains around here are kind of a given. I am reading the Ruth Galloways slowly which I think is a good way to get the most out of them.

Happy new thread, Meg.
I have the Ruth Galloway on my radar, I hope to start reading them soon.

Happy new thread Meg my dear and I just love the photo's.

>23 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita. I hope that you can read the Ruth Galloway books from the beginning because Ruth's backstory starts from the beginning.

>24 johnsimpson: Thanks John. I live in a pretty place although that top photo is pretty much how it looks right about now, kind of dull.

Well, finally it happened. I received one of my Santa Thing books today. I wonder if they are going to show up one at a time?

>26 Familyhistorian: They are just now showing up? That's terrible. I wonder what took so long?

Happy New Thread, Meg. Like that topper. Hope your doing a bit better today. I finished my Didion. I am impressed with her writing.

Happy new thread, Meg.

Six books down already is a decent start to the year.

>27 thornton37814: Yep, one showed up today, Lori. I hope the rest are on their way.

>28 msf59: I finished my Didion today as well, Mark. It was interesting.

>29 PaulCranswick: It's 8 books read, 6 reviewed, Paul. Part of that is because I haven't been that active lately. Today was a good day, though. The sun was shining and I met some folks for dim sum.

Happy new thread! Any day with a dim sum lunch is a good one- yum!

>33 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer. It always helps when there is someone who knows what to order when going for dim sum.

7. Where I was From by Joan Didion

I read Where I was From for the AAC. I didn't know what to choose because I have never read any of Joan Didion's work before. I seem to gravitate to stories about the author when I have to chose between that and fiction.

This was as much about Joan's family as it was about the various stages that California lives through. Some went way back before I was around but some I could relate to having seen California during some of the time periods she write about.

>35 Familyhistorian: Glad you finished it.

>36 thornton37814: Well, someone put a hold on it at the library so I had to get it done, Lori. Did you finish it?

>37 Familyhistorian: Yes. It was my first completion of the year.

Just waving "Hi" from way over here on the eastern side of the continent, Meg.

8. The Children's Blizzard by David Laskin

I find stories about weather fascinating. Weather prediction was in its infancy when some of the worse storms hit. The Children's Blizzard was about a storm that came upon the heels of a suddenly warm day. Those whose job it was to predict the weather didn't know how to read the signs properly. This led to many deaths, especially of school children unexpectedly caught unprepared for a killer blizzard.

>38 thornton37814: I thought you had finished it, Lori. I didn't want to read your review too closely because I was still making my way through the book.

>39 laytonwoman3rd: Hi Linda, I hope it is warming up over there for you. I am hoping that we might have a mild winter this year (I saw some buds on the trees when I was out yesterday. I even saw sunshine!)

>40 Familyhistorian: I loved that one when I read it a few years ago.

>40 Familyhistorian: Hi Meg. Delurking here to see if you know of the book The Blizzard Voices by one time poet laureate Ted Kooser?

I don't actually, but I am familiar with a musical setting of texts from it, which are based on testimony from survivors of the blizzard. It includes a couple of accounts from or about some of the children caught at schools. The cantata is also called The Blizzard Voices, by the composer Paul Moravec. It's a very moving work.

It's on Spotify, if you have that and if it piques your interest.

>40 Familyhistorian: It was good, Lori. I really enjoy books about the early days of weather prediction, or lack of it.

>40 Familyhistorian: That sounds very good. Onto the list it goes.

>44 majleavy: I hadn't heard of The Blizzard Voices. It sounds like an interesting work.

>46 mdoris: Oh oh, I wonder if your list is as long as mine. LOL.

9. Better Read Than Dead by Victoria Laurie

The second book in the series has psychic Abby Cooper getting tangled up with the mafia. A friend calls in a favour just when her beau, Dutch, is getting back to town. She owes her friend big time and agrees to help him be the entertainment at a wedding. Abby is giving a reading when she figures out that the guy she is probing for clues is actually a hit man. It is a mafia wedding. Soon Abby has more than ditching her rendevous with Dutch on her mind as she tries to keep out of the clutches of the mob plus help Dutch's old partner keep up with a serial rapist.

The Children's Blizzard seems to be a very timely read for much of North America, Meg. Glad you liked it. I think I have had a copy on shelf for a few years now.

Glad you liked your Didion pick.

>50 msf59: I was thinking about the rest of North America when I was reading The Children's Blizzard, Mark. I am hoping that spring is around the corner here. There are buds showing on the trees.

Congratulations on your second thread already, Meg. And you were even ill for part of the month! I am trying to get over bronchitis, but I fear this cough will be with me for some time.

The Children's Blizzard made quite an impression on me when I read it years ago. We had a day just like that last week, starting out balmy with rapidly declining temps and some snow, although not quite the historic blizzard of the book. I am trying to stay inside with this chest congestion. Breathing subzero temperatures can't be good for anyone!

>52 Donna828: I still have the cough and sniffles, Donna. I think it is one of those long lingering illnesses. It's hard to stay inside when you are sick like that. I feel much better when I get out and breath in some fresh air. I can't imagine living through something like The Children's Blizzard without central heating. We are so spoiled.

Popping by to say hi, Meg! We had a brief thunderstorm here yesterday, if you can believe that! A couple of cracks of thunder and lightening and then the weather cleared off for the balance of the day. A bit of a surprise in January.

>54 vancouverdeb: The forecast did mention some lightning, Deb. But I thought that was for today. We had a dry morning yesterday, I was out early to see the dentist so got to walk when it was dry out. By the evening the heavens opened as per usual.

Hi Meg! I need to return to the Elly Griffiths series again, too!

Hi Meg! Congratulations on your second thread and 8 books read.

Sorry to hear about the lingering cough/etc., and I hope they go away completely soon.

Meg, I thought of you this morning when our morning radio guy played something that had me laughing out loud. A piece on the weather, and weather prediction, by our brilliant Rick Mercer. I put a link to the youtube clip of it on my thread. No one does spoof better! :-)

>56 EBT1002: I quite enjoy the Ruth Galloways when I pick them up. I'm just not sure why it takes me so long between the books of the series. So many books so little time? Where are you in the series, Ellen?

>57 karenmarie: It is very disheartening to be sick and have no job that it keeps me from, Karen. It was keeping me from doing things that I really wanted to do. No fun! The cough is still lingering but I am getting out and about.

>58 jessibud2: Ohh, I'll have to check out your thread, Shelley.

10. Night's Child by Maureen Jennings

Maureen Jennings wrote the Detective Murdoch Mysteries before they were picked up to be made into TV shows. There have been liberties taken with the portrayal of the characters and some of the incidents in the novels show up in different TV episodes. I don't enjoy the novels as much as I might have if I had read them before they were dramatized.

The crime in this book the explotation of children by pornographers. Jennings shows the gritty reality of Toronto “the good” in Victorian times.

>62 Familyhistorian: I just realized "J" is up for AlphaKit next month. I might get to the one in the series you chose for my SantaThing!

>63 thornton37814: That's the first in my favourite series by Jennings, Lori.

My next one is A Room Full of Bones. I have it on my kindle.

>65 EBT1002: It's a good one, Ellen. I whipped through it quickly once I actually started it.

First I must finish Nicholas Nickleby....

Remind me to never get my Santa Thing books through book depository again. So far I have received:
The Invisible Ones

Still among the missing are:
The Stranger in My Genes
A Share in Death
The Hangman's Row Enquiry
Lending a Paw

My thingaversary is February 10 - do you think they will show up by then?

>67 EBT1002: Good luck with the Dickens, Ellen. Do you read one book at a time?

>68 Familyhistorian: Huh. That is slow.

>69 Familyhistorian: I'm reading about four books right now and, oddly, three of them are nonfiction (one is a memoir, one a book about Buddhism, and one is a work-related book about leadership so they are all very different from one another). I've just been trying to dedicate as much time as possible to N2 but it's a hefty volume. I actually think I'm going to take a break from it and read something else that was on my January list.

Happy belated new thread, Meg! "Remind me to never get my Santa Thing books through book depository again. So far I have received:" LOL are your implying that you did some Christmas shopping for yourself while buying for your Santa Thinger?
Hope they appear at your doorstep soon!

Ah, Meg, I've ordered from the UK before - from the Book Depository and it takes literally months for items to arrive. One item took from August to Mid October in 2017. I don't think it is the Book Depostiory's fault, but rather Canada Post. I understand stuff from the Book Depository makes it's way from the UK to the USA quite quickly. I'm not sure what the issue is - Canada Border Services shortage, or Canada Post being very slow. Perhaps a combo of both?

Happy (sort of) new thread, Meg! I'm sorry your illness is hanging around...

>70 EBT1002: Sometimes a break is as good as a rest, Ellen. Most of the books that I have on the go right now are fiction except for The British: A Genetic Journey. I am still trying to keep up with my library holds and the pressure is on to finish The Brutal Telling quickly.

>71 Carmenere: Thanks for the thread wishes, Lynda. I requested my Santa Thing books through Book Depository. I know what books were picked for me by looking at the Santa Thing site. Of those books, one has showed up. I hope the rest show up soon, too.

>72 vancouverdeb: I've ordered through Book Depository before, Deb. I don't remember having to wait so long for the books before. I saw all the problems with Canada Post this year but thought they might be caught up by now.

>73 katiekrug: Katie, good to see you here. The illness is a pain. I was supposed to go to my RL bookclub this evening but really couldn't talk myself into going back out in the rain. I hope you are appreciating your time in Texas.

>68 Familyhistorian: Meg, I ordered Christmas Swap books for someone in the UK through Book Depository. Somehow the books got shipped to the US and are "lost." I ended up ordering other books for her and told her if she received the others to enjoy them too. She received the second shipment.

ETA: I ordered a book for myself from them sometime around Christmas, and it arrived rather quickly. It's just strange how there were problems with my Christmas Swap order I placed and the SantaThing order I picked (although LT placed it).

>68 Familyhistorian:, >72 vancouverdeb: - I guess it's random, luck of the draw because I have never had that problem from the UK Book Depository. In fact, I just ordered a book from there the other day. I will pay attention and let you know when it arrives, just to see how long it takes.

I see you are also doing the PopSugar Challenge this year, Meg. I am not actively working on it, just checking now and again to see if anything I've read fits. What with all the Cat Challenges, the Bingo Dog and the TIOLI Challenges I have quite a full plate! You are off to a very good start.

I also was very impressed by The Children's Blizzard when I read it a few years ago.

>78 thornton37814: I think a lot of it has to do with Canada Post, Lori. I haven't had a problem with Book Depository before but when they announced the back up on the news I think they thought it gave them permission to take their sweet time.

>79 jessibud2: I hope that you receive your book quickly, Shelley.

>80 DeltaQueen50: I'm just seeing if something fits on the PopSugar Challenge, Judy. I already have enough other challenges that I am actively pursuing. The Children's Blizzard was good. I really enjoy books about early weather prediction or lack there of.

Happy Saturday, Meg. Bummer about Book Depository. What a hassle. Hope you have a nice bookish weekend.

Hi Meg!

>60 Familyhistorian: I remember feeling ecstatic when I was sick enough to stay home but not too sick to read. At least now when I'm sick I don't feel the overwhelming guilt I felt while working. The company I worked for was absolutely insane about expecting you to work when you were sick.

>67 EBT1002: Me too Ellen.....

I'm so far behind, hope this means you're feeling better than when the thread started, and can get back to the things you want to do. I found the Murdoch myateries a bit "wooden" although the period setting and costumes was often lovely to look at. Perhaps I would enjoy the books more.

>78 thornton37814: I want to add this generosity is much appreciated!

I often buy things from Book Depository to be send to my niece’s children in Thailand. They seem to arrive fairly promptly.

I also get things from Book Depository pretty quickly. I think only one book took long enough for me to almost forget I had ordered it. Heh.

>84 msf59: Thanks Mark, off to the library in a bit so I think that is a bookish weekend.

>85 karenmarie: I never felt guilty staying home sick from work but I didn't do it very often. Of course, I worked in a union environment where your coworkers told you to stay home and not make them sick.

>86 charl08: I am better than when the thread started, Charlotte, but still skipping out on things. Last night was RL bookclub (it would have been only the second time I attended). I skipped it because I didn't feel like going out in the rain but it worked out for the best because my son was actually home in time for supper in the first time in a week.

I like the period settings and costume's in the Murdoch series but I find the characters unrealistic especially the women's characters. The books are different than the TV show.

>87 SandDune: It seems to depend where the parcels from Book Depository are going, Rhian.

>88 EBT1002: I think Canada Post adds a whole extra layer of delay, Ellen.

Happy newish thread, Meg. You are zipping through books so far this year.

Eight books culled already, too! You are an inspiration.

Re the Book Depository and times to deliver - here is a link provided by the Book Depository

https://www.bookdepository.com/help/topic/HelpId/3/Which-countries-do-you-delive...

Of all things, it notes that books sent to two countries, Brazil and Canada are experiencing delivery times beyond their control . That notice has been up for many months now and I feel kind of singled along with Brazil! I don't understand why we in Canada are having such a problem. And in contrast I ordered some art supplies from the US and they were here in 7 days! ( But of all things, the Canada Post collected taxes on them!!! So I spent $ 50 dollars on art supplies and nearly $9.95 for Canada Post collection fee , plus around 8 dollars duty /taxes. The things that make me pull out my hair!!! Argh!

I'l be curious when you receive your books, Meg. I spoke with my sister regarding paying taxes on my art supplies from the US , as she often orders things from Ebay. But she said she has not ordered anything lately, but went down to Point Roberts to make a couple of small purchases and she ended paying taxes and duty. She says is so rare that she wondered if there had been a " crack down" on US " imports? Maybe the NAFTA battle? Or maybe just bad luck? I don't have enough experience yet to decide what the case is.

from the book depository site " Please be aware that we are currently experiencing problems with deliveries into Canada. Unfortunately, due to issues outside of our control, postal services are currently being impacted and deliveries will take longer than usual. We have confidence that deliveries will still reach our customers in the country, but cannot guarantee how long this will take.

>94 BLBera: Hi Beth, actually it is 0 books culled LOL. I wish it was 8. As the Little Free Library near me is outside I find it hard to cull books when it is raining.

>95 vancouverdeb: Thanks for the Book Depository link, Deb. What kind of art supplies are you getting from the US? I have been charged duty on items from the US before but it is a bit hit and miss.

No problem, Meg. I think I found that Book Depository notice in a fit of frustration waiting for a book! :-) Yes, I too have purchased items from the US, but not for about a year or so and usually it was very miss and rarely hit. Maybe it was just the first order that I placed that happened to be hit. I used to make greeting cards - birthday, anniversary - that sort of thing. But I felt I was acquiring far too much stuff and did a big purge this summer. But of course I had a hankering to try my hand at some cards and I needed just some gamsol ( solvent) and stumps for blending pencil crayons. The $18.00 that Canada Border services charges me got turned into 40. 01 dollars on my credit card. I discovered that a few days ago. I thought about just letting the error go, but today I called my credit card company ( how would one ever get through to CBSA????) and I have to call them back on Monday to open a dispute. Initially I was just going to let the error go, but then it just ate me.

Good to know duty is still just hit and miss thing . Usually I could order ??? 10 separate items or more without being dinged, so I wondered if stuff had changed. Good to know that it hasn't.

>96 Familyhistorian: I guess I need stronger glasses. It looked like an 8. :)

Meg--Here's hoping your books show up before your LT THingaversary in Feb. How frustrating.

Hello Meg! I am slowly poking my head into some threads over here that I need to star so I can find my way back. I am taking a year off from having a thread in the 75er group. Very sorry to see that your January has included catching a bug. There has been a nasty cold circulating through the office since last October. I suffered two bouts of it - one in Oct and then again in Nov - but have managed to avoid a third go around so far. This cold seems to have a lingering effect. both bouts I had were of two weeks duration. I have a work colleague who was still suffering after 7 weeks and finally went for chest Xrays. I hope your are back to full health very soon.

Wishing you a fabulous week.

>98 vancouverdeb: Good luck with your dispute with Canadian Border Services, Deb. Don't art stores in Canada have those supplies? Probably a cheaper and quicker option if you are going to get dinged for duty. There are few things more aggravating that dealing with government departments.

>99 BLBera: It does look like an 8 and I wish it was but I think that was what I culled last month (and then replaced with 12 new to me books).

>100 Berly: Thanks, Kim. Next time I'll choose Amazon.

>101 lkernagh: I'll miss catching up with your thread, Lori. I am so far behind that I didn't realize that I hadn't seen a thread for you yet. Good luck with not catching the bug for a third time. I am better than I was but still have coughing fits. I'm sure the weather isn't helping.

>102 Familyhistorian: Fortunately when I called my bank, they told me to leave it up to them and they explained to me that they have much faster channels to deal with Canada Border Services. Yes, you can get gamsol and stumps here, but I like the particular bottle that I purchased. It encloses the gamsol and has a top with very small multiple openings with a sponge on top, so instead of having the gamsol out in in the open, you can just touch your stumps to the spongy top and get a small amount of gamsol. I also find that stumps really vary in their quality - or blendablity, so I prefer the softer stumps. I'm really glad that my bank said they would be in contact directly with CBSA and they have a specialized department for that. Royal Bank, if that helps! Likely all of the big banks are good like that. But I do have to call back to my bank on a weekday, but the person I spoke to gave me a reference number and said all of the information had been passed on to the part of bank that deals with disputes. Not that iis really a dispute , since I have the receipt from CBSA for the correct amount etc. Cross your fingers!

And I sure hope the rest of your books turn up sooner than later. I've gotten really discouraged withe post between the UK to Canada. I'm not sure what the problem is, other than really frustrating. When I've sent the odd package to the UK from Canada, no problem. It gets there faster than I expect. Best wishes with your books and I really mean that. I found just when I've totally given up, the package arrives a week or two later! :-)

>106 vancouverdeb: Sounds like RBC knows what they are doing, like this is a common thing with Canada Border Services, Deb. It's hard when the things that you prefer come from somewhere else and all of a sudden it is a hassle to get the things that you have been able to before. I guess that is one of the "joys" of living in Canada but then there is plenty to make up for our shopping difficulties.

I had almost given up on the package arriving when the one book showed up out of the blue, kind of like a teaser. Who knows if more books might show up next week.

Meg, I've had your thread starred from the beginning, but have no evidence that I have actually been here!! All caught up now. We've been enjoying the Murdoch Mysteries series quite a bit so I was a bit taken aback at your comment about them.

>108 ronincats: Which Murdoch Mysteries are you following, Roni, the TV shows or the books? I enjoy the shows but the characters are a lot different in the books.

The television show, Meg. I really enjoyed the season where we got to meet all the historical inventors. But I love the characters/actors, seem perfect for their roles and Julia really just glows.

>110 ronincats: That is what I was trying to say, Roni. I prefer the TV characters. In the book George Crabtree is a large dour sargent and Inspector Brackenreid is always trying to catch Murdoch out, not supportive at all and there are no female pathologists. Really a whole different cast of characters in the books from those in the TV show.

11. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

I have finally caught up to where I started reading Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. I started towards the middle with my favourite book to date, Bury Your Dead. I have now read The Brutal Telling, the one that came before. Now I understand why Gamache takes a break from Three Pines in Bury Your Dead because the murder that happened in The Brutal Telling involves one of the main characters in Three Pines and, really, after that Gamache is more than ready to hang out in Quebec City.

I am not sure what it says about me that I prefer a book set elsewhere than the mysterious Three Pines but I did. Still The Brutal Telling had me flipping the pages ever faster to get to the end.

Today the rain stopped for a while and there was actually sunshine - that doesn't happen that often around here. I also did something useful today, after talking to someone at the bank about my finances, I toddled off to PoCo Heritage and helped to set up some displays. Its always satisfying to put things together so they look interesting.

Hi, Meg. Not sure I'll get back to the Three Pines series, but I did enjoy the first 7. I am finding it tough to go this deep in any series, with just a couple of exceptions.

Glad you enjoyed it.

>11 Familyhistorian: The Brutal Telling is one of the best in the series. Glad it was a page-flipper for you, even if you did prefer the Quebec one.

Hi Meg!

I gave The Brutal Telling four stars and remember really liking it. As I recall, there are others that don't actually take place in Three Pines.

>114 msf59: I am at book 6 in the series, Mark, and have a few of the later ones on the shelf. I find if I pace myself I can continue with a series usually but the best and longest series so far is the In Death series by J.D. Robb. I do feel a connection with the Three Pines series as I lived in Quebec and have been to Louise Penny's talks twice.

>115 thornton37814: The Brutal Telling was a good one, Lori, and I found it interesting that there was a tie in with Haida Gwaii and Emily Carr, two things that I am familiar with living in BC. The reason that I enjoyed the Quebec one so much is that it delved a bit into the history of Quebec. I am a sucker for history.

>116 karenmarie: I read another one that was set at a resort close to Three Pines, Karen, so know that there are some not set in Three Pines. The setting of Three Pines isn't what drew me into the one set in Quebec, the history came to light in that book was what got me.

12. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

What will Julia Quinn's Bridgertons get up to next? In To Sir Phillip, With Love Eloise Bridgerton has been happy being on the shelf at the advanced age of 28. After all, her best friend will be there as her companion. Then said best friend unexpectedly marries Eloise's brother. Who could have seen that happening? Eloise feels pushed to take action but first she has to get away from her family and that is how her story and that of Sir Phillip begins.

It was an fun read especially when Sir Phillip's mischievious twins got involved.

>120 Familyhistorian: Oh, I love that series, Meg! I need to revisit it one of these days!

I have read a couple of the Julia Quinn books and I really enjoy her stories as she keeps a fair bit of humor running through them.

>111 Familyhistorian: I see! I really like that element of the TV show, with the female pathologists, and yes, the characters of Crabtree and the inspector have developed so much from early in the series!!

>121 Crazymamie: The Bridgerton's are an interesting bunch, Mamie. I still have some unread on the shelf - somewhere.

>122 DeltaQueen50: That's how I like them, Judy, historic and not taking themselves too seriously. Julia Quinn has a light touch. I usually like Amanda Quick as well, there is a fair amount of humour in those stories as well.

>123 ronincats: The inspector has developed into a more interesting character but Crabtree is a totally different character from the one in the book. I like the one on TV much better.

Well, Meg, after a lot of back and forth between my Bank, Canada Border Services and Canada Post, my refund of the overcharge by Canada Post will go through in the next three days. What a hassle it was. The first person at RBC was very helpful , the second one told me to sort it out with CBSA or Canada Post. So I called Canada Post , who referred me to CBSA. CBSA was much nicer and explained it as Canada Post who was in error . But do you think either agency would communicate with each other? Finally I called RBC and got someone helpful. I finally discovered what the error was. Canada Post charged me for an entirely different and not my package. Somehow Canada Post charged me for someone 's else package that came from Japan, not the USA. I'm not sure entirely it was worth the pulling out my hair for, but I feel better about it now. It's the point of the thing. Canada Post - so inefficient. It's far from the first time I've had problems with them . Sent a tracked parcel to a good friend of mine - she never received it, but Canada Post insisted their records showed that she had received it. Fortunately I had insured it etc. Even so, they treated my friend almost like a criminal and asked me question about how long I had known my friend! For 30 plus years! And the item was worth less that $100 dollars, not a fortune. Anyway, eventually she got the refund for the lost goods. This was in late January. Then later that year, the package I had initially sent her turned up at her place in July!

Sorry , that is my rant for the day!!! Don't get me started on who Canada Post leaves our community mail box unlocked off and on etc....

But I'm sure your Book Depository books will arrive in time. Each day will be a bit of a surprise! :-)

>127 vancouverdeb: - Wow!! It amazes me that Canada Post still manages to hobble along. Just tonight, on our news, was yet another Canada Post story, about community mailboxes vs home delivery. I am lucky that on my street, we still have home delivery and that won't change (though I have already called in a complaint 3 times in the last 2 weeks because of our delivery person (who I found out isn't even Canada Post but an out-sourced delivery guy!), who kept putting someone else's mail in my box, even after I put a sticky note on it and left it hanging out of my box. I wrote a polite note, asking him to please pay attention as it wasn't my name, wasn't my street or address). He had the nerve to put it back in my box and add yet another piece of mail for that same person. It took 3 calls but so far, it hasn't been repeated.

But back to the news: apparently, new building complexes will now NOT have community mailboxes but those who already have made the switch from home delivery to community boxes? They won't have it returned to home delivery. Lots of unhappy people.
Sigh....

>128 jessibud2: Shelley, that is part of the problem we find. Outsourced people delivering for Canada Post. It is so hard to get a hold of an actual person at Canada Post even when the post person has left a bank of community mailboxes unlocked . It does not happen often, but Canada Post seems indifferent to the concern that your ID, a cheque , a parcel could be stolen. The post person leaves a bank of 12 or so post boxes unlocked? So you call and they say - we will be there within 48 hours to fix that problem! Not acceptable. Yes, hobbling along is right.

>129 vancouverdeb: - You know what might work? Threaten them with going to the media (social media or tv news). I had a problem with Bell Canada several years ago. They cut off my internet and for 3 weeks all I got was a run-around. The last day, I spoke to a real witch and she cut off my phone, as well. I am the last person on earth who would want to appear on tv, but I contacted our consumer reporter for the local newspaper and she gave me a contact number to bypass those idiots who answer complaint calls. I spoke to someone higher up and told him that if all my services were not restored within 24 hours, this story would be on every media outlet. Within 2 hours, all was restored. (thank goodness, because I really didn't want to have to follow through!). And Bell never apologized and I had to ASK for credit to my account for the 3 weeks of receiving no service. Insane.

I am no longer with Bell, needless to say.

In this day and age of security concerns, I am a bit surprised that Canada Post isn't taking your concerns more seriously.

>127 vancouverdeb: Not fun getting caught between a bank and a government department, Deborah. At least it got straightened out in the end. I am in one of the lucky areas that still gets mail home delivery. I can hear them when they come to my door to drop off parcels if I am home. I thought that they had dropped off another of my books yesterday but it was a false alarm, it was a a parcel of books from Chapters/Indigo that I ordered last week.

>128 jessibud2: >129 vancouverdeb: >130 jessibud2: Sounds like you both have had some run ins with Canada Post and other communications giants. I don't know of any good ones that have great customer service. I have issues with Rogers and I am not very happy with what Telus did with my TV stations - maybe the problem is that there really isn't anything to watch but every time I find something that might be ok, I no longer get that station. Then there are the stores that are closing down. The Safeway store that I have been patronizing for over 30 years will be closing in May. Oh well, I guess I will adapt, I always do.

Well, in fact two government departments, Canada Post and Border Services, but Border Services was much more sympathetic and helpful. Glad I got it solved. Once I am on the trail of something, I am like a terrier with a bone. I'm always very courteous, as I once worked in customer service myself, but I expect results. I am losing my Safeway store here in Richmond too! They are closing two of three Safeways in Richmond. Sadly both of the Safeways are fairly close to me. One is about 1/2 a mile away and the other maybe 1.5 miles away. The other Safeway is one that my mom walks to several times a week, as she is not keen on driving. I think she is quite disappointed. I also shop at Save On Foods, but it is close to the tunnel, so you have to time your visits or be stuck in traffic. I'll survive, but I sure liked having my Safeway close to me. I've been patronizing that Safeway since my mom took us there as toddlers. I'll survive too, but it is disappointing. I've been fine with Telus for 18 years or more - but I agree that there is not much on TV worth watching.

>132 vancouverdeb: You're losing two out of three Safeways, Deborah. That's a lot. I am highly suspicious of the ones that they are closing. The Safeway near Coquitlam Centre is the one that is close to me. It is a larger store and will be missed. Given where it is and the fact that the old Best Buy store in the next block is empty (it moved to the mall when Future Shop went belly up) I think some more condo towers might go up there. They are also closing the one at Lougheed Mall which is close to me but they are leaving open a smaller store at Shaughnessy Station which was opened much more recently. Its not like there are no other grocery stores close to me, there is a Save On across the road from my regular Safeway, I just don't like their brands as much.

HI Meg! At over 60 messages behind, I've decided to just start fresh from here :)

Hi Katie, well you do have the excuse that you were away. Are you back home now?

Hi, Meg - All caught up now - whew! Sounds like you are enjoying your freedom!

I see it's getting close to your 10-year LTversary! Have you started thinking about the 11 books you will be getting to celebrate?

>136 Storeetllr: I haven't given much thought to the books I will be getting for my Thingaversary, Mary. I am sure I will think of something. Acquiring books is never a problem - at least not until you have to find shelf space.

13. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock

It was 1837 when Liberty left her aunt's house to meet up with her father who was coming from France. The plan, of course, had been for her to wait for him in relative safety at her aunt's. She was waiting in Dover when she received word that her father was killed in a duel. She knew that would never have happened and sets off to Calais to investigate.

She must survive by her wits and work within the limitations of being a woman at this time. Still she managed to uncover a plot to replace young Vicky, who was about to be crowned, with an impostor, the supposed son of Princess Charlotte who was reported to have died at birth.

A Foreign Affair was a fun read, believable in its use of the time period. This is the first in a series of books featuring Liberty Lane. I have a later one on my shelves but started with this, the first one in the series which I got from the library.

Re the Safeway closures, I agree, two out of three seems like a lot to me. It will mean we have to go shopping in the centre of Richmond perhaps. I'm not a fan of Walmart, Superstore or Costco and they are all North Richmond and take a lot of hassle to drive too. Save on Foods is quite good, but it does not have everything. I don't think they'll be building condos, but what do I know? My understanding is that Sobey's in the east bought out Safeway and mismanaged things , leading to a loss of revenue. It's possible that the two Safeway will be replaced with " Freshcut" discount chain of Sobey's. Sigh. Here is Richmond, there are a number of Chinese Food grocery stores , TNT and I don't know what all, but perhaps that has an effect on things? Not sure. My Safeway has been so convenient, 1/2 mile away, so an easy walking distance for small amounts, or a quick drive for bigger shops. Oh well. Not much one can do.

>139 vancouverdeb: I think that Safeway wasn't doing well which is why they looked for a buyer. Sobeys is big in eastern Canada. My SIL used for work for them in NS. I am pretty sure she wasn't a unionized employee. The news has reported suspicions that Sobeys is union busting when the announcements were made about the BC closures. It could also be that they over reached themselves when they expanded in Canada. I think we have heard that one before.

Our Safeway is one of the ones that won't be reopened as a "Freshcut". We have lots of grocery stores in easy travel distance but I will miss the Safeway being close.

>140 Familyhistorian: Yes, I read the same about the union breaking. It's too bad. I really wonder what " Freshcut " will be like. I hope it won't be some tiny convenience sort of store, nor one that stocks groceries on the edge of expiry.

>141 vancouverdeb: Hopefully "Freshcut" will meet your needs if one opens near you, Deborah. I don't like the sound of a store that stocks groceries on the edge of expiry. We saw some sun over here today. Did you?

The prediction today was for rain and wet snow but the sun came out and I saw these on the way home.

I found another US family connection in my family tree. While blogging about documents left by some of the women in my family, I came across a letter written by my 5 x great aunt, Mary Strange. The 1837 letter talks about the slavery question. This is written by an elder aunt in England to her nephew in Ohio. Interesting timing. Seems like the nephew, Norton Strange Townshend, was one of the 50 US delegates to an anti-slavery conference in London, England in 1840.

>144 Familyhistorian: Well, that's fascinating, Meg.

Love the photo - those flowers are so cheerful.

Hoping that Sunday has been kind to you.

Hi Meg, thank you for visiting my thread my dear, i will get around to posting a more meaningful post from tomorrow but thanks for being around dear friend.

>145 Crazymamie: Visitors! Thanks, Mamie, I found it interesting and the flowers were a real surprise. I am trying to talk myself into going out into the downpour so not sure how Sunday will turn out but I am sure that it will be wet.

>146 johnsimpson: Hi John, I hope that Karen is feeling better.

>148 Familyhistorian:, Sadly not Meg, she has been in bed all day and has been sick and had diarrhoea as well as feeling cold despite being in bed or when sat up with a nice blanket around her shoulders and the heating has been on. I have kept her supplied with fluids and kept her company for short periods.

Very wet here, too. It's pouring buckets and has been all day.

>149 johnsimpson: That doesn't sound good, John. I hope it is a short lived flu and that no one else in your family catches it.

Happy Sunday, Meg. Our taxi will be picking us up at 5am, so it will be a long day, but we should be on the beach tomorrow afternoon.

>150 Crazymamie: I hope that your rain lets up soon but it sounds like good reading weather, Mamie. The Vancouver area has a rainfall warning of 60 to 90 mm - must be true because I heard it on the news. That is on top of rain the last few weeks. It was kind of a challenge when walking to the library in downtown Vancouver. All those buildings made great wind tunnels but I am happy to report that I picked up two holds while I was there. Looks like they are good ones: A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny and Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson. Hmm, I think I can blame thank you for that one as well, since your review got me to read the first one in the series

>152 msf59: That is early, Mark, but the afternoon will make it worth it.

Hi Meg, I read the discussion about the Safeways closing with great interest as our Safeway was closed a year or so ago. I never knew how much I would miss it until it was gone. We have a Thrifty's in Tsawwassen which has been bought out by Sobey's and the Safeway became a Save On. Personally I am not a fan of Save On but the Thrifty's is small and expensive. There is a Safeway in Ladner which is about 20 mins. away but I like the convenience of shopping in my own neighbourhood. Of course we now have a Walmart down by the new mall as well so I guess I should check it out at some point.

I love seeing that picture of the daffodils, a sure sign that Spring isn't all that far off. My hubby planted a lot of bulbs in containers at the apartment and they are all coming up so we should have a nice spring display.

>155 DeltaQueen50: I know what you mean about not knowing how much you would miss it, Judy. I prefer the Safeway and like some of the store brands (although a lot of those have changed since Sobeys took over, not for the better either). I am not a fan of Save On either or Walmart, if it comes to that. There is one of each close to me. There is a Safeway a short drive away but it is smaller and I don't know if it will have everything that I have been able to get in my larger store. It was so convenient with Safeway and Save On being across the road from each other. But I guess all of life is change. You should feel that more than most right now as you are in the middle of your move.

I was quite surprised by the daffys but I have noticed buds on trees and on of the perennials is coming up in the garden in front of my townhouse. I just hope that everything doesn't get covered in snow.

I am also currently reading Nightblind. I was glad that I already knew this one picks up five years after the events of the first book, or I would have been thrown.

Hoping the week is kind to you, Meg!

>143 Familyhistorian: Nice! The only time we see daffodils is when Trader Joe's has them for just a week or two. They smell wonderful.
>144 Familyhistorian: That's a really interesting piece of family history.

Hi Meg, hope you had a good weekend my dear and that you have a good week ahead. Sadly Karen is no better and is still in her sick bed, poor love. Sending love and hugs from both of us dear friend.

14. "A Very Fine Class of Immigrants": Prince Edward Island's Scottish Pioneers 1770-1850 by Lucille H. Campey

I am slowly reading my way through my personal library as I do research for different topics in my blog. Currently I am interested in immigration or emigration, depending on your point of view. “A Very Fine Class of Immigrants”: Prince Edward Island's Scottish Pioneers 1770-1850 is an interesting history of Scottish migration to PEI which tries to debunk some of the stereotypes of Scottish immigrants of this time. The appendices contain ships lists but, unfortunately, there are no lists of names for the time period I am interested in. Just the number of immigrants is given. Despite this lack the book was informative and readable.

>157 Crazymamie: I read the preview in the last book, Mamie, so am aware of new dramatis personae in Nightblind as well as changes for the returning characters. I hope your week also goes well especially once we get passed this day. LOL

>158 mstrust: Our spring last for a long time here, Jennifer, so daffodils and tulips are around for quite a while. The more I dig the more interesting stuff I find out about my family history. I am very surprised by the US connections that keep turning up in my family, especially when the people seem to be involved in important historical events.

>159 johnsimpson: I hope Karen gets over the worst of it soon, John. I had the flu at the beginning of January and its effects are lingering still but not nearly as bad as in the first week.

>163 Familyhistorian:, Thanks Meg my dear, she thinks she is getting worse and this is only the third day so she may not have hit the worst yet. I must admit that a lot of people have said the same thing my dear that the effects are lingering. Hope you are well dear friend.

>164 johnsimpson: I think that I started to get up and about in the second week, not highly recommended. I hope Karen's symptoms peak this week and she starts getting back to health after that.

>165 Familyhistorian:, So do I my dear.

I think we had a little too much rain. The benches on the shore of the lake are now in the lake. This photo was taken yesterday and today there is a pause in the deluge. I better get out there and take advantage of it.

Us too Meg on Van Is., lots of flooding and worries about banks by the ocean eroding. Oh boy and more rain is coming but right now the sun is pouring in for a bit. I'll take it!

Thanks for the great review of The Children's Blizzard. I own this book; I will now find it and read it when I do.

Happy Day to you Meg.

Meg,we have beautiful sunshine over here, I hope you are getting it as well.

Hi Meg!

>143 Familyhistorian: I love daffodils. They always make me happy. Thank you for sharing.

>144 Familyhistorian: How exciting to find a US connection, and an anti-slavery one at that.

>168 mdoris: They showed some landslides in White Rock in the news too, Mary. There is just too much water and it can stop any time - preferably days of sunshine in a row. It was nice to have a break today.

>169 Whisper1: Hi Linda, The Children's Blizzard is a good one especially if you, like me, are interested in the history of weather prediction.

>170 DeltaQueen50: We got some sun, Judy, but the clouds rolled in by mid-afternoon. It was nice not to have to use an umbrella.

Stay dry, Meg.

>171 karenmarie: I have found a few US connections, Karen. They always seem to be involved in something interesting. I also have a few ancestors who fought on the American side in the American Revolution.

>175 BLBera: Thanks, Beth. That was finally possible today.

It's a red letter day today, three of my Santa Thing books showed up! I received:

The Stranger in My Genes
A Share in Death
The Hangman's Row Enquiry

Just one left!

>176 Familyhistorian: My fiancé's family is very interested in genealogy. And they were really excited to find ancestors from below the Mason Dixon line...then were disappointed to gind out that they had fought for the Union. They thought it would be so interesting to have Confederate ancestors. I have ancestors from each (and BOTH) sides if the war, so it doesn't seem that special to me. I guess I take it for granted.

>179 The_Hibernator: It's too bad that they didn't find a Confederate soldier or two, Rachel. I was interested to find that I have a couple of family who fought on the side of the Union. I find them and my ancestors who fought on the American side in the American Revolution very special but that is because they were so unexpected. I have never lived in the US and didn't know I had any connections to that country until I stumbled across them.

>178 Familyhistorian: I'm happy you are finally receiving them! Hopefully the 4th will show up! I do hope you enjoy them.

>167 Familyhistorian: Wow! That is a lot of rain. And hooray for some of your books finally showing up!!

>181 thornton37814: Hi Lori, four have shown up so far. The first was a tease about two weeks ago. The best part is that the one I really am looking forward to, The Stranger in my Genes, showed up. Thanks for your picks.

>182 Crazymamie: It was funny, Mamie. The mailman had so many packages for me (they were all individually wrapped) that he gave up trying to stuff them in the mailbox and knocked on the door to hand them to me.

We had a short break in the rain yesterday but it is back again. The water is high and there have been a few people who have lost their lives on or around it. The rivers are swollen with rushing water.

So LT is good for more than BBs and kibitizing. I was inspired to take the genealogy binders off my weight bench (it was the descriptions of treadmills being used as clothes hangers that got to me). It has been quite a few months since I used the weights. I had to take a few unscheduled pauses.

>178 Familyhistorian: That is a red letter day indeed, to have your Santa books show up. I'm happy that your Book Depository books have showed up! We have not had as much rain as you have - no flooding or problems of that nature, but we sure have had our share of rain this year. Sigh! Tis the season I suppose.

>186 vancouverdeb: Still one Santa book out there in limbo, Deborah. We get more rain than you as we are at the bottom of a mountain or three. There is also snow melt that comes down from the mountains. So our rivers and streams are running high and fast. I have a stream right behind my townhouse and a river about a block away. The stream seems well behaved, which is good since it is next to a schoolyard, but the Coquitlam River is a lot wider and stronger than usual.

Getting books in the mail is always exciting, isn't it?

I used to use the handlebars of the exercise bike for hanging my dress clothes - it was near the ironing board, you see. *smile*

>188 karenmarie: I love getting books in the mail but really any kind of parcel will do.

I guess I am ahead of the game because my weight bench is two floors away from my ironing board. LOL. I have been known to hang shirts from the dryer on the weight bar while I am folding laundry.

>188 karenmarie:, >189 Familyhistorian: - Ironing board? Ironing? What's that? (lol - I am not sure I even know where my iron and board ARE, in this house....;-)

>190 jessibud2: No ironing for you, Shelley? I always seem to be making something or other look less wrinkled. Hmm, that didn't come out right. Clothing I meant.

>191 Familyhistorian: - I am basically lazy, Meg. I long ago stopped buying clothes if they required ironing. Works for me.

>192 jessibud2: I even end up ironing t-shirts so I own very few tops that I can put on without bringing out the board.

Oh the rain, Meg! Is it just me, or is the one of worse autumn/ winter's for rain??? Yesterday I was out with the dog and it was pouring. I'm about to drag myself out there again, but my walking motivation has really gone down hill. The thought of a nice cup of tea and reading is much more attractive to me. Yes, I'm sure that you get more rain than I do, since you are at the bottom of the mountain or two, but I've really had a enough! I am glad we live a good mile and half or so from the Fraser River. I walk along the banks of the Fraser most days with Poppy and I think if I had a house or condo close to the Fraser, I'd be worried. Not so much that it would flood, since we have a lot of good pumping stations around Richmond, but as climate change creeps up, I think eventually those places will be flooded. For that matter, eventually Richmond and Delta will likely all be under water.

Oh that is really cheerful! :-) You can tell that the gray skies are getting to me.

>194 vancouverdeb: Oh Deb, I am getting very tired of the weather forecasts that just show rain, rain, rain. One day it was raining so hard that hair was wet before my walk was through even though I had my umbrella up. I am also getting tired of having wet feet. My boots can only do so much no matter how much silicone I spray on them. I guess this is the flip side of those months when the sun shines all the time. Which is nice if it can get through the smoke of the forest fires.

>183 Familyhistorian: The Stranger in My Genes was my very first pick for you! I hope you love it as much as I did.

>196 thornton37814: I am looking forward to it, Lori. I can't imagine how he felt but I guess I will find out.

I am a bit behind on reviews but I have been reading. I'll try to get them up after my volunteer stint today. Yesterday I went to a retirement lunch for an ex-coworker. The walk there was great because it stopped raining for a while. Looks like we are back to the usual today.

Meg, I hope the rain stops soon. That picture with the benches in the river was alarming.

Excellent news about the Santa Thing books, too. And the weights bench!

Please send us some of your rain!

At least I have water proof " runners" or whatever you call them, Meg. They are quite flexible, but heavier than real runners, and are lined with something akin to gortex , as well as being made of something like rubber. They are made by Northface and I bought them in 2016 and they are still going strong. I also have some lighter regular runners for walking in non wet weather . I even went out this fall and purchased a pair of waterproof, snow boots with an arctic grip , and that arctic grip really make a difference. As someone with osteoporosis that's had a three breaks , non slip really matters to me. I had a compression fracture in my spine back in my late 40's and then fell in our foyer some 8 years ago and fractured my wrist and foot in one slip. I've been pretty careful since then.

>199 susanj67: Hi Susan, you are not the only one who hopes the rain stops soon. The water at the lake has receded but the rivers are still high.

I am trying to keep stuff off my weight bench but it is the only empty place to put stuff in a room full of books and binders.

>200 ronincats: I would gladly send you some. Maybe we could change weather for a couple of days.

>201 vancouverdeb: It sounds like you are all set for wet weather footwear, Deborah. I can understand your concern about falling especially when you have osteoporosis. I rarely wear runners, I prefer boots but not rubber boots so I often end up with wet feet. I find boots with a regular low heel are easier to walk in than sneakers.

Stopping by to get caught up. Sorry to read about the Safeway closures you will be experiencing. When Sobeys made the purchase of Safeways - I think three, four years ago? - they were required to divest properties within a certain proximity of one of their existing grocery stores. Here in Victoria, Save on Foods acquired all of the existing Safeway stores (there were only three that I know of) so, no closures occurred, but we have a slew of other competitors - the Market, Red Barn Market, Country Grocer. All of them are either close to my home or work so I am able to mix up my shopping to get the items I want, without having to rely on just one or two store options. It would suck to have lack of grocery store options.

>143 Familyhistorian: - Lovely to already see some daffodils out!

>144 Familyhistorian: - Sounds like you are making some interesting genealogy finds!

I heard on the news that Victoria saw 4X the amount of rainfall in 2018, compared to 2017. You probably have seen a considerable increase as well.

>204 lkernagh: Where I am I have a lot of options, Lori, I just prefer Safeway for their meat and some of their house brands.

Those daffodils surprised me with their flowers but I notice that a lot of the bulbs are coming up now, at least the leaves are. Maybe they like all the rain. As long as they don't get washed away. I didn't see a comparison with last years rainfall, but we didn't have as much because a lot of it fell as snow. I prefer rain to snow but I really just want to experience a few days of sunshine.

15. Siege by Roxane Orgill

Siege was the story of the siege of Boston by the British during the War of Independence. When I saw that it was written in verse, I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to get through the book. As I read I saw how devilishly clever this way of writing was. By using verse, the writer was able to move from one place to another, one event to another and from speaker to speaker with a minimum of fuss and verbiage. It gave a clear picture of the events of the siege and the feelings of those involved in a quick and lively manner.

>180 Familyhistorian: Yes, I understand why you would find relatives from the US interesting if they were so unexpected. My fiancé's family is currently trying to figure out who his father's biological father is because he was adopted. The person who did the adoptions was famous at the time for kidnapping kids off the street and paying a judge to turn them over to the state so that they could be adopted. She'd then fake Jewish heritage so that rich Jewish people on the coasts would adopt them. Aaron's dad was a legitimate adoption as a baby, but his "biological father" on the paperwork was a complete lie. He's not Jewish, if the genetic testing is to be trusted.

Morning, Meg. Happy Sunday. Woke up to snow, but at least it was only 1-2 inches. Whew. Trying to make the rounds this A.M. and visit a few threads, always a big task after being away.

Thanks for keeping my thread warm and I hope you had a good week.

>206 Familyhistorian: Sounds like that one worked better than you anticipated it would.

>207 The_Hibernator: I wonder how many children she did that to and what happened to their biological families after their children were kidnapped? What a frustrating roadblock to try and get around. Has your fiance's father tried DNAAdoption.com? I meet a woman who volunteers for them when I was at the conference in Halifax last year and she told me about an interesting case that she was involved in.

>208 msf59: Well Mark, my week wasn't as fun as yours and I envy you the warmth and sunshine. But you know it was a good week because it included fun stuff like attending a retirement lunch as well as learning about genealogy and mediation. (I am taking an online genealogy course through FutureLearn and an in person class on mindfulness.) What they say about retirement being busy is true.

>209 thornton37814: It did, Lori. I am not into poetry or versification so I wasn't sure that I would be able to read it but the snippets of information in the poems and the list of characters at the front of the book that was there to remind me of which character was speaking really got the information across without getting bogged down.

Hi Meg! I hope you got some of the sunshine we saw today. It was windy but the sun came out and we even opened some windows for a little while, just to get some fresh air into the house. It was a nice break from the gray and rain we've had recently!

>213 EBT1002: Oh yes, we had sun! I didn't get out until later which was probably good as it was raining this morning.



It was so nice to see that I had to take something to remember it by.

That's a beautiful picture!

>214 Familyhistorian: Wow!! That's gorgeous!!

>214 Familyhistorian: Magical! Thanks for sharing that.

>215 mstrust: >216 RebaRelishesReading: >217 laytonwoman3rd: Thanks Jennifer, Reba and Linda. I was lucky to catch the sun in late afternoon when its angle lights up the trees. The wonderful scenery in this part of the world helps, of course.

>214 Familyhistorian: Beautiful!

>219 thornton37814: Hi Lori, thanks.

Hi Meg. We are settled in and planning to slip out for a quick walk around the block shortly. Tomorrow I am meeting the cleaning lady at the house and will give it a final polish for the new people. I will be glad to get this done with so that I can relax and spend some serious time reading. Your picture at >214 Familyhistorian: is gorgeous.

>221 DeltaQueen50: I remember that feeling. At first you can't believe that you are leaving your home and how much you will miss the place. In the end you just want to get it done and over. Enjoy your relaxing and reading time, Judy. You deserve it after that long move. Thanks about the picture, it was so nice to see some sun.

16. Nightblind by Ragnar Jonasson

It was interesting to get back to the story of Ari Thor, who I first met in Snowblind. Five years have passed since the first book. Ari Thor's life has changed, he now has a wife and child. Strangely enough, his wife is the girlfriend he had left behind in Reykjavik at the beginning of the series. Things have changed in the police department. There are only two officers now, Ari Thor and his supervisor. Ari Thor had hoped to be promoted to police inspector when Thomas went south but that honour went to another cop from the south of Iceland. When Ari Thor finds the new inspector lying shot in front of an abandoned house reinforcements are called in and Thomas, the former inspector, comes back to lead the investigation.

I found Nightblind to be another solid entry in the series. Ari Thor has matured as a police officer. He has learned to hold back and think things through. It remains to be seen if he can mature in his personal relationships as well.

Nice review of Nightblind, Meg. I've read the first i three in the series, but I don't think I've read Nightblind yet, but it is in my TBR pile. March 2017 was when my son , his wife and another couple headed around Iceland on the Ring Road. My son did say that some of the towns were very isolated and that at times, the snow on the rather deserted highway made it challenging to travel. And this March they expect their first child. I think they tried to get a lot of traveling in prior to the baby plans.

I'm going to look for Snowblind. Sounds like an interesting series, and I have yet to read anything Icelandic.

>224 vancouverdeb: Hi Deborah, I didn't read the two books in between Snowblind and Nightblind as they were translated out of order and my library doesn't have those two yet. How did you get to read the series in order? Your son and DIL's visit to Iceland must have been interesting and I am sure that you got a lot of information from them because of your interest in the country. Not long now until you are a grandma!

>225 mstrust: It is an interesting series, Jennifer, but translated out of order for some reason. That seems to leave a few gaps in the lives of the main characters.

17. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

I read Tipping the Velvet for the BAC. It was good discover a new-to-me author and the story was interesting but it took me a while to read. I found it slow going because there was so much foreshadowing of bad things happening that I put off finding out what they were. I expected there would be a tragic ending for the self-absorbed heroine, Nan King, but instead she grows and even learns to think of others.

It was a fun romp through London in the roaring Nineties looking in at life of music hall artistes as well as the queer and lesbian haunts of that time.

>226 Familyhistorian: Meg, I forget exactly how even heard about Ragnar Jonasson. I think that my family interest prompted my interest and then knowing that my son and his wife had a trip planned to Iceland ( Denmark and The Netherlands) " caused me " to purchase the first in the series from The Book Depository. I envisioned reading the first in the series while they drove around Iceland, but of course, the book ( s) did not arrive until after they'd returned from their trip. As for knowing what order to read them in, I think I consulted Good Read , or even on here , if you click on the Snowblind or whatever , they show " The Dark Iceland Series " in publication order", as well as"Chronological Order . I'm such a stickler about wanting to read books in order ( one of the very few things I am a stickler about :-) , that I looked into it carefully.

Nice sunny day today! Windy here, but very nice!

No, not long now til I'm a grandma. I stopped at my mom and sister's place last night and we had a fun chat about all the new things that young people seem to worry about for babies these days. Like nurseries in grey and pink, " organic fibres " for baby's clothes, sleeping sacks vs. blankets etc.

>229 vancouverdeb: It rained here this morning, Deb. I know because I was out in it. I walked to my morning class on mindfulness and back but by the time that I got to my place, it wasn't raining. Finally, I could take out the recycling without being rained on. My neighbour was doing the same thing because you never know how long the dry period will last although now there is sun streaming in through the deck doors in the living room. I like it when it reflects off the stream behind my place. Makes me feel like I am somewhere tropical.

Good for you for doing that research on Ragnar Jonasson's series. I just read them as they became available but it did feel like there were things missing in the lives of the main characters between Snowblind and Nightblind. I thought you would be interested in that series because of your connection to Iceland.

So your mom is going to be a great-grandma. Is this her first great-grandchild? It is amazing how young people particular stuff for their offspring but I suppose our parents said the same thing about our generation.

>230 Familyhistorian: Yes, this will be my mom's first great grandchild. My mom just turned 76, so she's not that old. It's just that my parents had me at barely 19 and then I had William, my younger son, at the age of 29 , and now he and his wife are having their first at the age of 27. She is quite excited, but like me, a little puzzled by all of * must haves* etc. I think when I was younger and my mom too, neither of us had the money to decide the nursery must be a certain colour etc and organic fibres , so my mom is a source of some comfort for me in this. As my mom has said, perhaps after the baby is born, " reality " will set in. But every family is different. My niece is has been trying for a little one since June 2017, without any success. She is just 25, but has not gotten her period back since stopping the pill. She and her husband are looking into that, otherwise my mom would be welcoming in two great grandchildren this spring - summer as my niece had openly told all of us that she was planning a little one this year. It's been hard on my niece to watch my DIL.. Life. Never fair.

>214 Familyhistorian: Love that image!

Sweet Thursday, Meg. I have Snowblind on my To-Read list. I have not read a Scandinavian crime novel, in a couple of years. I am due.

I do like Sarah Waters though, but have not read this one. Fingersmith may be my favorite.

>178 Familyhistorian: The three books listed look very good. For now, I've added The Stranger in My Genes

>214 Familyhistorian: Very nice!

>228 Familyhistorian: I remember reading that a long time ago and quite liking it. I also quite liked The Night Watch.

I posted about this on my thread but the first sign of spring (for me) in our region of the world is the male chickadee's early spring song. It comes after the snowdrops bloom (check) but before the crocus.

>231 vancouverdeb: This must be a very exciting time for you all, Deb. I imagine the first grand and great-grandchild will get spoiled. It must be hard on your niece to be trying and nothing happening. Hopefully she will be successful soon. We weren't that well off when I had my son either even though I was an older mom so we didn't get all the must haves when he was born. Life isn't fair, but you just have to make the best of what you get.

>232 msf59: Thanks Mark. I just had to take that shot for evidence that the sun did shine this winter.

The BAC challenge was for debut novels and that was Tipping the Velvet for Sarah Waters. I must have heard some warbling about Fingersmith because I just happen to have that book in the stacks. I hope that your cold work week is almost over.

>233 Whisper1: Hi Linda, The Stranger in my Genes looks really good. I am really looking forward to that one.

>234 EBT1002: Thanks Ellen. It was good after I got over my initial reluctance to read it because all the signs were pointing to really bad things happening to the main character. I haven't heard of The Night Watch. I will have to keep a look out for it.

Looks like you are keeping up with your steps this month from what I can see. Something has happened so I can't see the standings for the challenge group. All I get is a blank screen. Very frustrating and it kind of defeats the purpose of being in a competitive group. *sigh*

>235 EBT1002: I listened to the chickadee's song on your thread. It sounded very familiar but I haven't heard it yet this year.

Fingersmith was very good, and I also loved Tipping the Velvet. The Little Stranger was a grand Gothic read, according to my 2015 thread, but now I don't really remember much about that one. I have a couple more of waters' novels in the house to rea.

>240 laytonwoman3rd: Hi Linda, I haven't heard of The Little Stranger. Gothic read - well it must have been good because it was grand. LOL I have added it to my library wish list.

>214 Familyhistorian: That is so beautiful!

>223 Familyhistorian: You liked this one more than I did. I had expected that after five years the relationship would have advanced to something deeper - they still seemed like they were not really invested in each other. Also, I wanted the setting to be more of a character - I loved that about the first book.

Hoping that your weekend is full of fabulous, Meg!

>242 Crazymamie: I have had a lot of comments on the photo. All I can say is I would like to see the sun like that again. At least it isn't raining today.

Maybe it was because we had different expectations, Mamie. I was really surprised that our hero was back with Kristen. I thought that relationship was done. The way their troubled relationship was written rang true for me. As for the setting, I guess it is only natural that it isn't so prominent as Ari Thor is getting acclimatized.

My weekend is starting out well. My son just walked in the door returning from a 2 week business trip to China. It is nice to have someone else around. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Mamie!

>244 Familyhistorian: - Flowers! I miss those. Everything here is covered with a blanket of white. We won't be seeing buds any time soon :-(

>245 jessibud2: Ah, but you probably have full days of sunshine, Shelley. We have to take our brightness where we can find it.

Hi Meg!

>214 Familyhistorian: Gorgeous photo. You caught it beautifully.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, especially with your son just back!

Happy Saturday, Meg. We are supposed to get a couple more inches of snow through the day, adding to the totals, but let's hope it isn't too bad. Glad I'll have the next 2 days off to recover.

Enjoy your weather and get some reading in this weekend.

>244 Familyhistorian: Nice! I love seeing nature's determination.
I have three Coral Fountains in my front yard that are blooming like crazy.

>247 karenmarie: Thanks Karen, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

>248 msf59: Hopefully your snow won't be that bad, Mark. This is a long weekend for us due to Family Day on Monday. On top of that the sun shone today! Not much reading being done but that was because of a get-together for dim sum to celebrate Chinese New Year. I hope you are making the most of your time off this weekend.

That IS a gorgeous photo in >214 Familyhistorian:. I meant to say so when I stopped by yesterday.

>249 mstrust: I love the first signs of spring. We are just starting to see them but, from the sounds of it, you are into full blown spring now, Jennifer.

>252 ronincats: Thanks Roni, I'm kind of happy with that shot myself. I look at it periodically to remind myself that the sun does shine here. LOL

Sounds like you are having a nice weekend, Meg. We had a very lazy day spent mostly in front of the tv watching the Olympics. It was cold here today but we did get some bright sunshine in the afternoon. Tomorrow we are having dinner at the elder daughters, maybe to celebrate Family Day or maybe just to get together and enjoy each other's company. I haven't read Tipping the Velvet but I really enjoyed Fingersmith and The Night Watch.

>255 DeltaQueen50: My weekend is going well, Judy. It was so nice to see the sun today even though it meant colder temperatures. It was better to walk on the sunny side of the street. You sound like you are in full relaxation mode after your long move. It must feel like you have so much more free time. Enjoy the rest of your Family Day weekend.

I was going to start a new thread to celebrate my b'day and my 10 year thingaversary which are in early February but writing and posting the latest blog article took most of my internet time today. The current topic on my blog is immigration something that my family has practiced a lot. I immigrated on a plane similar to this one:



The blog is at: A Genealogist's Path to History

New thread is coming soon.

Yay, I get a badge for 10 years! I guess I also got one for 5 years but I didn't know about the social media stuff on LT then.

>257 Familyhistorian: - Interesting blog post, Meg. Too bad there were no air miles for your family back then!

And congrats on the badge. I have no idea what that is but if it's techie, then that is no surprise, lol!

>259 jessibud2: Airmiles would have been handy, Shelley, but we didn't need them as my Dad worked for the airline. Putting the info I find together to do the blog posts is great for pulling my research together. I'm glad you found the post interesting.

LT (or Tim in this case) sends you a message giving you the badge. Definitely low tech. How many years have you been on LT?

>257 Familyhistorian: Like in your family, I've found that immigration isn't necessarily permanent. I'd always assumed that, back in the nineteenth century at least, if people emigrated from the UK, then they usually stayed emigrated, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. Certainly in my family people often return home after emigration, and then sometimes emigrate again a few years later.

18. Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb

The mystery challenge theme this month is female detectives. I seized the opportunity to read the next installment (for me) in the in Death series. I really enjoy these books with their futuristic setting. As this was book #43 the future has evolved in tune with what is happening in the present day particularly when it comes to the gadgets used by Eve Dallas and the dectectives she commands. Of course, much of the high tech stuff comes from her dishy bigillonaire husband, Roarke.

Apprentice in Death was another high energy, page turning entry in the series. It is a series that I highly recommend.

>260 Familyhistorian: According to my profile page, I've been a member almost 5 years, though I don't think I actually was active until maybe 3 years ago

>262 Familyhistorian: I love the Eve Dallas series, too, Meg. I'm right behind you, think I've read the first 39.

I'm another fan of the Eve Dallas series, Meg. I still remember the thrill of finishing the first one, and loving it, and realizing she'd already written a ton of them. Now I'm caught up and waiting for the next one, but it took a wonderfully long time to get there.

>261 SandDune: I think that people were more likely to stay immigrated in the early 19th century and before, Rhian. Once steamships and railways made movement faster it was easier to go back to the old country if they still had somewhere to go. I used to think that people didn't move around much in the past, that the majority stayed in one place for all of their lives. Not my bunch. They were constantly upping stakes and moving on from place to place in one country, across borders to neighbouring countries or across the ocean to the new world.

>263 jessibud2: Then you should be receiving a five year badge message soon, Shelley.

>264 karenmarie: They are good, aren't they, Karen. The main characters are fun and interesting and the action carries everything along. Eve and Roark's backstories add another layer and then there is the tech. I love the futuristic gadgets Robb comes up with.

>265 jnwelch: I know you are into the Eve Dallas series, Joe. Have you ever gone back and read the first one again? I do that every once in a while. I also keep telling myself that I need to read the one about the Icove case because there are so many references to it in later works.

>269 Familyhistorian: I've thought about it, but haven't yet gone back to read the first one. I'd like to re-read that Icove one, too - and some of the others. Maybe next time I'm looking for a comfort read. I re-read Agatha Christie on a regular basis - no reason not to add in Eve.

>270 jnwelch: I re-read Agatha Christie books as well. I read most of them in my teens so now if I read one of her books it is almost like reading it for the first time except for the ones that have been made into movies or tv shows, those ones I remember but sometimes they are changed from the books. An example of that is Endless Night, which is a standalone novel but was televised as a Miss Marple mystery.

The first Eve Dallas book is worth a re-read, Joe, just to remember how it all began.

Half the time when, on a re-read, I think I remember how it turns out, Agatha has fooled me again. :-)

Makes sense re the first Eve Dallas. I'm sure I'll give it a re-visit, probably sooner than later.

I did not realize that you had immigrated to Canada, Meg. I just assumed you were born here. My family that immigrated here all stayed here. but yes, I think they came over in the late 1800's for the most part. Not so easy to go home.

>272 jnwelch: Ha, Agatha fools lots of people, Joe. I hope you enjoy the re-read of Naked in Death.

>273 vancouverdeb: Yes, I immigrated to Canada, Deborah. My life would have been a lot different if my Dad's transfer to Canada hadn't come through. I guess it is all down to my mother's family. They moved back and forth between countries a few times. When passenger lists became available online, I was surprised how often they took ships back and forth from England to Canada. They lived in Winnipeg so transportation links must have really improved by the 1920s if they were able to visit England quite a few times.

I wonder what the difference in travel time was to Canada vs Australia. I don't think there was much back and forthing for those who ended up in Australia (well, particularly if you were sent out as a convict). The vast majority of my Australian ancestors ended up there in the 1840s and 50s - there were occasionally some siblings that went to Canada instead, so I've probably got some extended family here too.

The sea voyage to Australia was longer and the majority of convicts didn't return, but then, a lot of them had very little to return to. Steamships became used for ocean voyages in the 1850s so theoretically they could have returned. The convict on my line never returned to England from Australian but by the time he would have been free to return most of his family were dead so it was easier to stay and make a life in Australia. My other Australian line went there voluntarily but they went from England to India, stayed for years and then went on to Australia. They were later arrivals than your ancestors or the convict in my family tree.